It was originally a Famous Players theatre upon opening. Like David said, Empire took it over after Cineplex bought FP and had to divest certain theatres. What I’ve always wondered is WHY did Empire get both this and World Exchange? Shouldn’t one have been kept by Cineplex to avoid being a monopoly downtown? Wasn’t that the point of Cineplex having to sell off competing locations?

Famous Players Canadian Corporation did build and operate this very plain triple theatre for a few years. Empire Theatres took this over when Cineplex bought Famous Players and had to divest of a few situations. Now that Cineplex has bought Empire Theatres, this will now be a Cineplex theatre. I don’t believe Cinelex will operate this theatre too long, because it is not modern enough for today’s ompetitive theatres. When Empire operated this they sold the tickets at the candy bar which is very low class.

I must correct Mr. Hopkinson’s description above… Rideau Centre Cinemas was NOT built on the site of the old Rideau Theatre. The Rideau Theatre was located at 160 Rideau Street; its building still stands today and is divided into various retail stores.